Bobby Jindal to run again for Louisiana governor

US Congressman Bobby Jindal has decided to run again for Governor of Louisiana after losing the 2003 race, hoping to become the first person of Indian origin to hold a gubernatorial post in the country.

The 35-year-old Republican will be quitting the House of Representatives for a rematch with Governor Kathleen Blanco, who is seeking re-election in the November polls.

Jindal is in a much stronger position than in 2003, when he ran as a first-time candidate as Blanco has been criticised for her handling of crises stemming from hurricanes Katrina and Rita that devastated Louisiana.

"Our state, our communities, and our families have been through some very tough times. There is clearly a hunger for a new approach to governing," Jindal said while making known his intentions.

Louisiana was devastated from the calamities and much of the federal fundings earmarked for relief are yet to reach the affected.

The young Indian-American politician has also said that he will not formally get into the campaign mode until after the summer so that state legislators and the present Governor can finish their work in the legislative session that starts April.

The primary election is on October 20 and the runoff is scheduled for November 17.

So far, Jindal, a former Rhodes scholar, has been the only candidate to announce his campaign against Blanco.

After his loss in the Governor's race of 2003, Jindal ran for House of Representatives the following year and he was elected quite easily. In 2006 he was re-elected by a handsome margin.